Before Rörstrand and its contemporaries introduced ceramic serveware to Europe, people primarily ate off of metal plates. The Swedish ceramics company was pivotal in bringing porcelain from China to the Western world, and today, vintage Rörstrand ceramics are highly prized by collectors.
The company began in 1726 at Rörstrand Castle in Stockholm, under the direction of master porcelain maker Johann Wolff. Early works bore no stamp or seal to mark their origin, as the company had no competitors at the time. Once competing companies made inroads into the porcelain market, Rörstrand began to stamp its products.
With the rising demand for ceramic tableware, Rörstrand pieces filled the cabinets in the houses of the nobility, royalty and the social elite of Sweden and surrounding nations. The 1800s saw many technological advances for the company, as it began using steam presses to emboss patterns into material. The 20th century brought the company to international markets after it presented its Art Nouveau pieces at the 1900 World Exposition in Paris.
As Sweden was a neutral country during the world wars, Rörstrand was able to continue producing, whereas other companies shut down or shifted to making items for the war effort. Swedish artist-designer Gunnar Nylund created his most famous works — warm-toned matte-glazed Art Deco stoneware and more — while employed by Rörstrand. During the 1950s, Rorstrand brought on master porcelain maker Marianne Westman, lovingly referred to as “the Porcelain Mother.” Her design, the Rörstrand Mon Amie, became one of the company’s leading sellers. It was among many popular designs that she and her team developed. Westman continued with the company through the 1960s when it brought on other notable talents, such as designer Inger Persson.
In 1976, the company celebrated 250 years, and the Rörstrand Museum opened in Lidköping, holding over 15,000 pieces created by the historic ceramics manufacturer.
With almost 300 years of history, Rörstrand has survived numerous shifts in culture and design preferences, maintaining its heritage style, while smoothly adapting to new trends. With each decade, the company has debuted new designs, glazes, patterns and technologies, bringing new innovations and intriguing twists to traditional work.
Find vintage Rörstrand serveware, decorative objects, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
3 Wall Plaques / Tiles, Rörstrand - Sylvia Leuchovius - Flowers Green & Purple
By Sylvia Leuchovius, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A set of 3 stoneware wall tiles / plaques designed by Sylvia Leuchovius at Rörstrand in the 1970s. These plaques have a lovely shape of flowers and green/purple color. They are 21 x ...
Stoneware
Stoneware Wall Plaque / Tile, Rörstrand - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Fish
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stoneware wall plaque in shape of a fish designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. It is 38.5 cm long (15.4") and 15.5 cm (6.2") tall. It is in excellent condition and marked a...
Stoneware
6 Wall Plaques / Tiles, Rörstrand - Olle Alberius - Black and Green
By Olle Alberius, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A set of 6 porcelain wall tiles / plaques designed by Olle Alberius at Rörstrand in the late 1960s. These plaques have a decor of birds, flowers and trees in a black and green/yellow...
Stoneware
$161Sale Price|59% Off
H 0.89 in Dm 7.87 in
Ceramic plate by Olle Alberius from the 'Kurbits' Series for Rörstrand, Sweden.
By Olle Alberius, Rörstrand
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A very nice little vintage ceramic plate, made by the very well-known designer Olle Alberius, known as "Kurbits" from Rörstrand, Sweden. Alberius ceramic always has a special feeling, the shapes are simple, but the glazing is just stunning, the pattern is slightly abstract, yet knowing that Alberius has used a traditional style of folklore decoration known as Kurbits, one can see where he got his inspiration from. All off his objects are individual since they are hand painted. The price includes free shipping. The color is just stunning a dark blue color has been used against a pale gray background and there are also some dark brown and purple details as well as black details. It is around 20cm (7.87") in diameter and 2,5cm (0.98") high. It is in a very good condition. Between the years 1957 - 1965, Olle Alberius worked in Strömstad as a designer at SYCO keramik, where he created a large number of dishes, figurines, vases and bowls. He later works at Rörstrand, and between 1963 and 1965 he was employed at both SYCO keramik and Rörstrand. Alberius was attached to Rörstrand's Porcelain Factory in 1963–1971, where he worked partly with handicrafts and partly with tableware in flint and feldspar porcelain...
Ceramic
Six Clear Olle Alberius Designed Vases From Orrefors
By Olle Alberius
Located in Doraville, GA
DESCRIPTION Six Orrefors clear glass, hand blown, Flora vases designed by Olle Alberius in the 1970’s. The vases have a unique flower frog molded into the base. Born in 1926 in Sweden, glass designer and ceramicist Olle Alberius trained in ceramics at the Stockholm College of Art, Crafts and Design from 1952–56. Over the course of his career, he worked in ceramic design at Syco and Rörstrand (1963–71), and, beginning in 1971, designed pieces for renowned Swedish glassware...
Blown Glass
Mid-Century Stoneware Vase by Sylvia Leuchovius for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1975
By rorstrand studio, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Sylvia Leuchovius, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful and unique stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Sylvia Leuchovius at Rörstrand Ateljé, Sweden, 1975. Great condition. No chips, cracks or crazing. Signed 'SL', 'AT...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-Century Stoneware Vase by Sylvia Leuchovius for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1973
By Rörstrand, rorstrand studio, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Sylvia Leuchovius
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful and unique stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Sylvia Leuchovius at Rörstrand Ateljé, Sweden, 1973. Great original condition. No chips or cracks. Signed 'SL', 'AT...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ceramic Vase by Gertrud Lönegren, Rörstrand, 1930s
By Rörstrand, Gertrud Lönegren
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceramic vase by Gertrud Lonegren in golden glaze and a highly textured surface. Measures: Diameter 21 cm Height 21.5 cm Lonegren studied in Vienna and Stockholm during the 1920s, ...
Ceramic
$426
H 14.97 in W 12.21 in D 0.79 in
Rusha Wall Plaque, Glazed Ceramic, (Image Flower arrangement) West Germany
By Ruscha
Located in Verviers, BE
Rusha Wall Plaque, Glazed Ceramic, (Image Flower arrangement) West Germany Was produced in the 1960's handmade, and made in Germany. Very collectible.
Ceramic
Midcentury Modern Ceramic Vase Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand, Sweden
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This wonderful sculptured vase with its intense harfur glaze, which shifts in different colors was made by Rörstrand Sweden and designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane. Very good conditi...
Ceramic
$2,131 / set
H 5.52 in Dm 2.76 in
Mid-Century Modern Set of 5 Stoneware Pieces Rörstrand Sylvia Leuchovius, 1970s
By Rörstrand, Sylvia Leuchovius
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This set containing a collection of 5 pieces ceramic was designed by Sylvia Leuchovius and produced at the famous Rörstrand factory. They are made in heavy stoneware and all of them ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$307Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.75 in Dm 4.75 in
Pair of Vases by Olle Alberius from the 'Bamboo' Series for Rörstrand
By Olle Alberius
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A pair of beautiful vases from 'Bamboo' series by Olle Alberius for Röstrand. A pair of rare vintage ceramic vases from the very well-known designer Olle Alberius, known as "Bamboo" from Rörstrand, Sweden. These vases resembles a bamboo cane, and they have a very natural feeling to it. Alberius often used the nature as an inspiration for his ceramics, Bamboo is one of his ranges. These vases will make a statement due to the unusual design in any interior setting. They are 4.75' high and wide, signed and in a very good condition, the price is for both vases and includes free shipping. Between the years 1957 - 1965, Olle Alberius worked in Strömstad as a designer at SYCO keramik, where he created a large number of dishes, figurines, vases and bowls. He later works at Rörstrand, and between 1963 and 1965 he was employed at both SYCO keramik and Rörstrand. Alberius was attached to Rörstrand's Porcelain Factory in 1963–1971, where he worked partly with handicrafts and partly with tableware in flint and feldspar porcelain...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Stoneware Vase by Sylvia Leuchovius for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand, Sylvia Leuchovius
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Sylvia Leuchovius at Rörstrand Ateljé, Sweden, 1960s. Great original condition. No chips, cracks and crazing. Signed 'SL' and ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$5,328 / set
H 9.06 in Dm 3.15 in
Midcentury Modern Collection of 6 Vessels Carl Harry Stålhane Rörstrand Sweden
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
These vases and bowls from Rörstrand and maker/designer Carl Harry Stålhane, are a great example of midcentury modern quality and design made in Sweden during the 1950s and 1960s. Th...
Ceramic
Rörstrand Carl-Harry Stålhane vases and trays , Sweden 1960
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Bronx, NY
Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand dark blue ceramic trays Sweden, 1960. Set of two trays and two vases in a blue/grey glaze Vases 9.5" and 11" Trays...
Ceramic